I recently read a Face Book post bringing attention to the fact that in our society actors and sports figures are some of the most highly honored, yet the least needed in our society. It brought out several examples of people that are needed by us all such as farmers and other everyday not-so-glorious types of occupations. I realize the list could not be exhaustive in the short post, but there is one category of people that should have been included in the examples given, and that is veterans. It is a guarantee that without the service of veterans, we would not be enjoying the freedoms that we enjoy. I am not a veteran, but I have two brothers and some cousins who are, and many kinfolks in generations past who were. This Monday, November 11, 2019 is Veteran’s Day, a national holiday set aside to honor veterans of the United States Armed Services. It was initially set up to remember that the major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. There will be a Veterans Day parade in Hot Springs with my brother Joe serving as Grand Marshall of the parade. I plan to be there to honor him and all veterans. To all my readers who are Veterans, I give you a hearty “Thank You!” for your service to us all.
Jesus is a Veteran of a war he fought for us all and won. By his victory, we all can enjoy freedom in every way now and for all eternity. He fought sin, flesh, death, and the devil, and whipped them all, and gave us an example of how we can do the same. When we believe on him and become a fellow soldier with him, we can take up the boots, helmet, and battle gear and weapons he provides, and go into battle to win. With the robe of righteousness and feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace and taking the shield of faith and donning the helmet of salvation, we are dressed for battle. We can take the weapon of the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and the walkie-talkie of prayer in the Spirit, and by bold speaking the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ we can fight and defeat the opposition we encounter (Ephesians 6:11-20). As Jesus had a victory parade, triumphing over all, so can we share in that victory if we follow him and his ways closely. There are enemies. Fighting is required. If we learn to use the weapons of our warfare under the direction of our Commander, we can ride in the victory parade under the Grand Marshall’s leadership right on in to glory. Thank you Lord Jesus!
